Guru Gobind Singh Jee

Sri Gobind Rai was born on 22nd December 1666 at Patna sahib old Patliputra capital of Bihar situated on the bank of Ganga. His personality is a wonderful harmonious combination of so many qualities as have seldom been found blended together in one person; a perfect man, sarva yogi, house holder, great poet and a patron of poets, great soldier, great scholar, thinker, reformer, lover of Truth and purity. Champion of the weak and oppressed, down trodden, opponent of tyranny, friend of all a general, an archer, a statesmen, an administrator, a patriot, a relentless defender of faith and an all sacrificing martyr for the cause of suffering and persecuted humanity.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji has described his mission to come in this world in his autobiography (Vachitra Natak) as:

I have come into this world for this purpose; the supreme lord has sent me for the protection of righteousness;

“You should propagate righteousness everywhere seize and destroy the sinful and the wicked”

I have taken birth for this purpose let the holy men understand this in their minds.

I have come for spreading divine religion and for protecting of saints, and for annihilating all the tyrants (42-43/6) (Guru Gobind Singh ji in “Vachitra Natak”)

BIRTH AND HIS EARLY LIFE

Shri Guru Teg Bahadur ji (9th Guru) left for Bengal along with the Raja of Jodhpur . He left his mother Nanki ji his wife Mata Gujri Ji who was in the family way and mama Kirpal Chand behind at Patna previously called Patliputra capital of Bihar situated on the bank of river Ganga. Later on he moved towards Assam.

Mata Gujri gave birth to a son at Patna on 22nd December 1666 AD. (Now at this place is a beautiful Gurudwara Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib- the second supreme seat of Sikh religion). He was called Gobind in deference to the wishes of his father. When Gobind was old enough to play with other boys, his favourite pastime was to divide them into two groups pitting one against the other in mock battles. He himself was fond of weiling the sling and the bow and arrows. As he was the son of a Guru, people respect and love him. The boys also showed him great respect and love he usually assumed the role of a king or a commander of the army. Sometimes he would play the judge and dispense justice. He was thrilled with the sling and made the boys familiar with its handling. When women of the neighborhood carried pitchers for fetching water, he and his boys aimed at the pitchers and broke them (still there is a well in the campus of takhat Harmandir ji in the memory of his mother Gujri)

He was a very playful child. Raja Fateh Chand Maini and his Rani were his neighbors in Patna and Gobind often used to play in their courtyard.Rani had no child and use to watch Gobind playing around longingly. One day Rani was brooding over her fate when suddenly tiny arms went around her neck and a melodious voice spoke “Dear Mother” it was like a dream come true for Raja and Rani who became devotees forever. In the memory of Guru Ji (A beautiful Gurudwara named Bal Lila Gurudwara is situated and parsad of boiled black gram is distributed every time).

When Guru Teg Bahadur returned to Punjab and he left his family at Patna, he founded Anandpur sahib in Punjab and the family joined Guru later. Guru Teg Bahadur was aware of the temper of the times, succession involved strife and jealousy so he got his son trained in warfare and horse riding along with religious instructions. He also arrangements for his son to study Arabic, Persian , Brij Bhasha, Sanskrit , Punjabi, etc. Guru ji’s far sighted introduction of his son to such fields of studies proved great boon to Gobind Rai in his later life.

- - Soon Gobind Rai had to face his first test on 25th May 1675AD. When he came to his father’s court from playing grounds. Govind Rai Saw a group of Kashmiri Pandits under the leadership of Pandit Kripa Ram standing in deep sorrow and Guru Teg Bahadur ji in deep thoughts. He stood before his father and said very respectfully;”father dear, what is cause of much gloom over the faces these pundits and what are these furrows on thy forehead for? Guru ji took Gobind in his lap and explained him the atrocities these pundits were being made to suffer at the hands of viceroy of Kashmir, Sher Afgan Khan, innocently Gobind Rai said “Sir, but there must be some remedy for it,” Guru ji replied “Yes remedy is there of course but it needs Sacrifice of some very holy person.”Gobind Rai got off from his father’s lap, standing before Guruji he said “Then what is delay? Surely there is no body holier than thou dear father.”Guruji hugged Gobind embrace and said.”I was hoping for this answer from you. I am happy to offer my life for the sake of these pundits.” He asked pandit Kripa Ram to tell the viceroy that if he can convert their leader Guru Teg Bahadur to Islam, all will embrace Islam. Eventfully Guru Teg Bahadur became a martyr to the cause of the pundit’s right to have their Tilak and worship as they chose to on 11th November1675 AD at Chandni Chowk Delhi (Now there is a big Gurdwara,named Shis Ganj Sahib) near Lal Kila Delhi. High winds and dust storm made the day dark and people started to look for shelter.Taking advantage of Nature’s wrath ,the sacred body of Guruji was carried away in cotton laden carts by Lakhi Shah Labana and cremated by burning his own house .Now Gurdwara Rakab Ganj stands on the site. The sacred head was picked by Rangretta of low caste, during the severe dust storm, carefully wrapping the head in old clothes, he carried it to Anandpur Sahib(Punjabb)travelling through fields and avoiding towns. When Guru Gobind received the sacred head, he was impressed with his devotion and bravery. Guru ji hugged him and called him Guru Ka Betta. Then the curse of caste system was removed once and for all from Sikh Brotherhood. On seeing his father’s gory head, Guru Gobind uttered these famous lines; -

“As an act of redressal, did he so,

Offered his head without a word of woe.

For Righteousness, performed this deed

Gave he his head, but kept his creed. “

Humiliating treatment to innocent people had to be resisted and a sense of self respect and self reliance infused. Thus for ten years 1676 AD to 1685 AD. Sri Gobind Rai jee devoted himself to creative activities of educating and inspiring the people with literary activities and spiritual enlightment.

A large number of poets and scholars were brought together. The Guru himself was a poet of eminence. He developed a new style of poetry which has remained unsurpassed. The illustrations examples of their ancestors were held before the people and they were called upon to follow in their footsteps. Song was sung by bards which had soul stirring effect on the people. Poetry was wedded to martial music in a short span of time people were imbued with a martial spirit, so much so that even those who had never before seen swords or guns were now practicing them. The Guru ji started different types of sports and games for his followers to enable them to build themselves up both physically and mentally.

His men were not only great warriors in the battle field, but were also men of integrity, humane, gentle, full of love for all, God loving, open and truthful. He inculcated the noble qualities of self less service and self sacrifice in his people. He was the first man to think of nationalism and to foster feeling of nationalism among the Indian people.

There was a magic in his words that carried away his Sikhs. They would gladly do anything for him, So much that they would not hesitate to sacrifice their lives at his behest.

Guru ji loved his Sikhs equally well without any distinction of high or low and they were aware of this. The Guru endeared to all with his sweet manners, soft words and warm heart. He was a great lover of mankind and a firm believer in a brother hood of man. He was very courteous and generous. His langar (free kitchen) was always open to any hungry persons. His house was always open to the needy. He and his services were always there for the taking by any oppressed person. Though the hill rajas were dead set against him and left no occasion to fight against him, but the Guru readily responded to their supplication and helped them when they were in sore distress.

He was often requested by people to perform miraculous deeds. His reply ever was that man is a powerless being, all miracles are making of the lord. Once at Agra he was asked about the existence of miracles. He answered that man cannot perform miracles but three things in the world are miracles in themselves ; steel , strength and wealth. Steel (The Guru meant weapons) can grant crowns, fulfill a man desires, help him gain honor and liberations through a heroic death in the battle field. Power (physical and intellectual) helps one gain dominance in any sphere. The powerless are pushed to the wall, humbled and humiliated. They are the slaves of the powerful people. Wealth wins over everybody. A poor man has no friends, no relatives, wealth enables a man to attain honor and respect and fulfill his desires. Tenth Guru, during his life, fought several battles with Mughals and their allies against religious oppression and injustice. To save Hindus from the atrocities being committed by the rulers of those days and to fight for their “right to life,” “honor and dignity.” The tenth Guru founded “Khalsa panth”on 13th April 1699 (Baisakhi Day) After this he was baptized by five khalsa or panj piyaras Guru was named as ‘Gobind Singh’ from Gobind Rai’

He gave a unique, distinct and identifiable identity to “KHALSA” so that if any one needed assistance, he could recognize “Khalsa “easily and seek his help. Establishment of “Khalsa Panth”is based on the principles of service before self and sacrifice; A perfect example of this is that all four (Shahibzadas) of Guru Gobind Singh laid down their lives for the sake of country and religion life. At a later stage of his life Guruji went to Nanded (Maharashtra) and baptized “Madho Das Bairage”with Amrit (Holy Water) and transformed him a Sikh “Banda Singh Bahadur,”who stuck the very roots of Mughal Empire. Before attaining the eternal bliss in the year 1708 AD Guru Gobind Singh declared that “Guru Granth Sahib” will be the “Guru of Sikhs” after him as embodiment of ten Gurus. Classic in content and secular in nature. Guru Granth Sahib advocates oneness of God, in different names ; Hari- 8344 times, Ram- 2533 times and Allah- 46 times figure prominently in Guru Granth Sahib with reference to the almighty. Indeed it is a paradise of spiritual harmony. It contains the hymns of “Hindu and Muslim saints and peers along with those of Sikh Gurus. For this very reason “Guru Granth Sahib” is not the preserve of Sikhs only. It belongs to all humanity and every one bows before the sacred Guru Granth sahib in reverence. In his Dasam Granth Guruji declared that he doesn’t believe in idol worship and so was against the worshipping of the deed and their tombs. He advised to pray to the true lord, whose worship removes all your grief and sorrow only utter his true naam.Wahe Guru : According to the Sikh Gurus, the word “ Wahe Guru is symbolic of the formless eternal lord, who is the True Guru(enlighter) of a man(in his life) and the creator of the universe. Guru Gobind Singh used this word in the same way as the earlier Gurus.

He says in the chaupai:

Ad (i) ant (i) ekai Avatara

Soi Guru Samjhajhu hamara.

The Guru got the bani of his father Sh. Guru Teg Bahadur included in the Adi- Granth but never made any effort for the inclusions of his own writings.

The Guru was able to infuse new blood and vigour in the dying Hindu nation. From amongst the cowardly and supine Hindus, he created a new breed of virile and valiant people the khalsa, filled with the spirit of selfless service and self sacrifice for the good of humanity and the glory of Akal purakh. This Khalsa is a living testimony of the Gurus mirific qualities.

“All power is mine with thy Grace

The fetters of Bondage are broken.

For liberty of truth, everything is possible.

It was the sword which was to be used only for “Liberty, Truth and justice” Guru is sure to his victory when he says.

“Nische Kar Apni Jeet Karon” (victory shall be mine with certainity).

- Men of Guru Gobind Singh’s vision and wisdom, courage and faith are born but rarely. There is hardly a sacrifice which this Son of God did not offer to his maker. He sacrificed his father, and his dear four sons, mother and beloved followers and comrades in arms. He was forever enduring all manners of rigours, betrayals and suffering in the process. To top it all he sacrificed himself. It was a life that knows not a moment’s weakening of the will or the spirit. History undoubtedly honors a hero who remains steadfast in his ideals and gives battle to the forces of evil. It is a deed that will continue to shine in history as an exercise of immortality. Countless millions will continue to be touched by the great dreams. The world will not easily forget the name of Guru Nanak and of his supreme successor, GURU GOBIND SINGH JI.”